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Correlation Between Skeletal Muscle Mass and Fat-Free Mass in Infants Born Very Preterm
Kathryn E Cyrus1, Maggie L Jerome2, Audrey V Reeves3
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL; Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA.
Insights
Measuring skeletal muscle mass in preterm infants may offer a better way to assess growth quality than standard fat-free mass measurements. The D3-creatine dilution method shows moderate correlation with air-displacement plethysmography, suggesting its potential as a key indicator.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition and Growth
- Body Composition Analysis
- Neonatal Physiology
Background:
- Assessing growth quality in preterm infants is complex.
- Standard fat-free mass (FFM) measurements have limitations.
- Accurate growth assessment is crucial for preterm infant outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and FFM in preterm infants.
- To explore the utility of the D3-creatine dilution method for SMM assessment.
- To determine if SMM can serve as a reliable indicator of growth quality.
Main Methods:
- Indirect SMM measurement using the D3-creatine dilution method.
- FFM measurement using air-displacement plethysmography (ADP).
- Statistical analysis to assess the correlation between SMM and FFM.
Main Results:
- A moderate positive correlation was observed between SMM and FFM.
- The D3-creatine dilution method provided indirect SMM measurements.
- Results suggest SMM is a viable indicator of growth quality.
Conclusions:
- Skeletal muscle mass is a potentially valuable indicator for assessing growth quality in preterm infants.
- The D3-creatine dilution method shows promise for SMM assessment in this population.
- Further research may refine SMM as a standard growth metric for preterm neonates.
Abstract:
Assessing growth quality in preterm infants present challenges, particularly with the use of the standard fat-free mass measurement. We report here a moderate correlation between indirect skeletal muscle mass measurements using the D3-creatine dilution method and fat-free mass measured with air-displacement plethysmography. Skeletal muscle mass could serve as an indicator of growth quality.
